Gas-engine igniting apparatus



(NoModel.) I

G. W. WALTENBAUGH.

y GAS ENGINE IGNITING APPARATUS. No. 543,116. Patented July 23, 1895.

--Ui-vrTnD STATES PATENT Orefice.

GEORGE YW. WALTENBAUGH, OIF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

GAS-ENGINE lGNlTlNQ-APRARATUS.'

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,116, dated July 23, 1895.

v Application filed December 17,l`894. Serial No. 532,090. (No model.)

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. WALTEN- BAUGH, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco,- State of California, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Gas-Engine yIgniting Apparatus; and I hereby declare the following specilication and drawings therewith to be a complete description of my invention, with the manner of constructing and applying the same.

My improvements relate to what is called electrical igniting apparatus for gas-engines, wherein the charge of gas and air is ignited by a spark caused by the disengagement of electrodes placed in the engine-cylinder or the combustion-chamber thereof.

My invention consists in pivoting the stationary electrode on an adjustable stem passing out through the walls ot' the cylinder and insulated therefrom, the normal or non-active position of the electrode being maintained by a spring or springsplaced beyond the zone of injurious heat, and so the springsand their connected mechanism cannot be affected thereby.

My invention further includes mechanism to accomplish this object,- as shown in the drawings herewith, in which- 1 Figure 1 is a `partial view of a gas-engine cylinder provided with my improved igniting apparatus. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal'section through the devices for operating the station- .ary electrode in the electric circuit, with a movable one for igniting the charge. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line .fr x of Fig. 2. Fig. tis a diagram in the oppositeplane, showing the action of the two electrodes in the combustion-chamber of the engine.

Similar letters of reference are employed to Vdesignate like parts in the different iigures of the drawings.

` The main cylinder A is made with double, walls and an'rannular cooling water-space B in the usual manner. A separate chamber C is attached to the main cylinder A on the line D, containing an induction-valve E for gas and air'and an exhaust-valve F for the discharge of -burned or spent gases. These valves E and F are opened byA cams G G2 on the shaft H and are closed by the coil-springs F12. The shaft H lis driven by the bevelwheels J, having a proportion as two to one of the main crank-shaft, to which the vertiical shaft K is geared, thus opening the valves E and F at alternate `revolutions of the engine-shaft and at alternate strokes of the piston 'L in the usual manner of operating gas- 'engines Between the valves E and F, preferably in the axis of the cylinder A and combustionchamber C, I place ashaftorspindle M, driven by the ruiter-wheels N. On the bottom or inner end of this spindle M, I provide at right angles thereto an extension O, which forms the negative electrode. Y

The positive or stationary electrode P is mounted on a cylindrical stem Q, pivoted on a cross-pin R, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4. This electrode P is flat at its rear end, as seen in Fig.4, and is pressed against by a sliding rod S, extending back into a rear chamber T, where a coil-spring U presses continually against the headVon the rod S,thrustinpg it forward, pressing the cross-head W at thekother end against the rear end of the electrode P, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4.v This tends ,to hold the electrode Pelasticallyin alignment-with the rod S and hollow stem Q, so ,that when engaged by the rotating electrode iO and pressed to one side, as shown in'Y Fig.

4, it instantly regains its normal position by resilient action of the spring U and longitudinal movement of the rod S, causing also instant release between the electrodes O and P, and aresulting spark that ignites the contained charge in the engine-cylinder A.

The electrode P is connected bya wire X to y the positive pole of an electric battery, and

the other electrode O by a wire Y tothe other pole of the battery, the current passing through the connected part of the engine in the one case and through rod S, stem Q, and surrounding metallic parts insulated from the cylinder A, as seen at d in Fig. 2, in the other case.

. In motrnting the stationary or positive electrode P, I first insert a screw-threaded shell c through the side of the cylinder A. Inside this shellcI place a tapered sleeve or second .I OO

shell m, around which is theinsulating material d. On the outer end of this shell m is a nut n and a washer o, by which the shell is drawn outward, clamping and securing the insulating material d around the shell m, also against the end of the outer screw-shell C, by means of a washer o. The inner shell m extends through the nutnl to receive the cylindrical extension f, which is screw-threaded on its interior and receives at its outer end the hollow plug or spring-chamber T, as seen in Fig. 2. The stem S is moved at the same time with the partT by means of a pin Z, fitting into an annular groove p. This adjusts the electrode P outward or inward and determines the length of the arc of contact, as indicated by dotted lines q in Fig. 4. A jamnut g is provided to prevent false movement of the plug T, stem S, and the electrode P. The central stem S is prevented from turning -by means of the rectangular head W, fitting in the slotted end of the hollow stem or sleeve Q. This latter tits loosely in the insulated shell m, also in the hollow plug or chamber T, and is prevented from turning by a pin 7L fitting loosely in a groove t', as seen in Figs. 2 and 3.

The shell or extension fis made of sufficient length to remove the spring U and its connected parts from the intense heat of the cylinder, and thus secure endurance and reliable action of the electrodes.

The spring U may be a detlecting one, or in any of the Well-known forms that will maintain an elastic pressure on the stem S and the electrode P.

It will be seen that when thus constructed no detlecting part of the apparat ns is exposed to high temperature,and the electrode P, being inflexible, can be made stiff and in durable form, also be readily adjusted from the outside, and removed or replaced in a moments time, independent of the shells c and m and the insulation d. It will also be understood that the movable electrode O can have a rotary, oscillating, or vibratory movement, the action being the same in respect to the stationary electrode P when the latter is arranged according to my invention.

Having thus described the nature and objects of my inventiomwhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is-

1. In a gas engine igniting apparatus, a pivoted electrode, inflexible or rigid in section, mounted on an adjustable hollow stem passing out through the walls of the cylinder, or the combustion chamber thereof; a movable rod passing through thesupporting stem, provided with a flat. face on its inner end bearing on a similar face on the electrode, so the latter will be elastically held in alignment with the stem, substantially as described.

2. In a gas engine igniting apparatus, a pivoted electrode of inexible section, pivoted on a stem passing out through the side of the engine cylinder, or the combustion chamber thereof; a central rod therein, bearing on an electrode in the cylinder, and a spring at the' outer end of the rod, the latter placed in a closed shell and removed from the engine cylinder, so as to not belaffected by heat of the burning gases, in the manner substantially as described.

3. In gas engine igniting apparatus, a pivoted electrode within the cylinder, supported by a sliding stem, the latter supported and guided by a tapering insulated shell, and a nut to draw the shell outward in its conical seat, and thus clamp and confine insulating material at the sides and outer end of the conical shell, in the manner substantially as herein specified.

4. In gas engine igniting apparatus, a pivoted electrode; a supporting hollow stem moving in an insulated shell at one end, and in a hollow chamber or plug at the other end, the latter adjustable with the hollow stem, andcontaining a spring connecting to and operating or adjusting an electrode in the engine cylinder, in the manner substantially as described. y

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two witmesses.

A GEO. IV. W'ALTENBAUGII.

XVitnesses:

ALFRED A. ENQUIST, WILSON D. BENT, Jr. 

